This research project examines markets for biogas plants in Denmark, referred to
simply as biogas markets, as a fragile and controversial process of framing and
organizing by analyzing how unexpected events, called ‘overflows’, and
controversies influence how markets frame biogas plants as a valuable economic
good and ensure biogas plants are implemented through market transactions.
Without well-constructed and well-organized markets these fundamental economic
functions cannot take place. The overarching argument of the project is that to
realize changing technical, political, and socio-economic intentions of biogas the
market must be framed and organized to reframe and solve overflows and
controversies that characterize biogas markets in Denmark. Otherwise, what we
end up with are ‘markets of good intentions’. Although they are rarely predicted
and constitute the robustness as well as the source of the inevitable fragility and
controversy of the market, it is essential to the framing of biogas plants as a
valuable commodity and the completion of transactions, that overflows and
controversies are addressed and internalized into the market assemblage. This
involves identifying and rendering them debatable based on the calculations and
other elements that underpin the alleged value of biogas and the actions of market
actors...